Thursday, April 23, 2009

Signs of "The Recession" in Every Day Life

As we are entering this season of renewal, the country's economy is in need of new life as well. It has been a long hard winter for all of us collectively and I thought I'd share some changes I've noticed while going through the day.Our local paper comes out once a week. I have noticed that the help wanted section has dwindled down to half a page. A couple of years ago it was about 5 or 6 pages long. Even seasonal work around Christmas and now summer just doesn't seem to be there.Contrast that with the dramatic rise in the foreclosure notice section, about 8 pages long.

I've come to be able to spot the difference between a foreclosure "for sale" sign and a regular one.

Some of the popular restaurants in our town are closing.

This past spring break the amount of people who went away was way down.

Use of our public library has gone way up. I can remember sometimes being one of the only people sitting in the library. Well now it is jam packed all the time. I'm happy to see it being used, it's just such a shocking increase!

These are just a few little examples. A lot of people have it much worse. We all look forward with hope that things are getting better.

The Reading Mother

I had a mother who read to meSagas of pirates who scoured the sea.Cutlasses clenched in their yellow teeth;"Blackbirds" stowed in the hold beneath.I had a Mother who read me laysOf ancient and gallant and golden days;Stories of Marmion and Ivanhoe,Which every boy has a right to know.I had a Mother who read me talesOf Gelert the hound of the hills of Wales,True to his trust till his tragic death,Faithfulness lent with his final breath.I had a Mother who read me the thingsThat wholesome life to the boy heart brings-Stories that stir with an upward touch.Oh, that each mother of boys were such!You may have tangible wealth untold;Caskets of jewels and coffers of gold.Richer than I you can never be --I had a Mother who read to me.-Strickland Gillilan